US to deploy 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq

Middle East, News, US April 9, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division will go to Iraq this summer, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

In June, approximately 500 soldiers from the Division’s headquarters will begin to deploy to Baghdad, Irbil and other locations in the Middle East to support Operation Inherent Resolve, according to Defense Department spokesman Col. Steve Warren.

Most of the 500 will be stationed inside of Iraq, Warren said.

The deploying soldiers belong to the division headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division announced Wednesday. They will deploy in June for a nine-month tour. One contingent of soldiers will be in Iraq, while the rest will be based outside the country in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The 82nd Airborne division headquarters will assume the role of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq, replacing the 1st Infantry Division headquarters. In that role, the headquarters will provide command and control of coalition troops training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.

“I’m very proud of this great team,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Clarke, the 82nd Airborne Division commanding general, in a statement. “Our paratroopers are well trained and ready to continue the tremendous support the 1st Infantry Division is providing to the Iraqi Security Forces. The coalition is strong and committed to helping Iraq defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and we will continue to assist Iraq in its efforts to regain control over its sovereign territory.”

There are about 3,000 U.S. troops currently deployed in Iraq, including about 1,300 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team who deployed in January.

AT/SS